Ralph F. Stewart

Ralph "Freddie" Frederick Stewart, age 71, of Olathe, KS, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the VA Hospital surrounded by the ones he loved most. Ralph was born March 15, 1945 in Osawatomie, KS. He was the second of five children born to Ralph Wilbur Stewart and Mary Loree (Defore) Stewart. Ralph "Freddie" attended the Osawatomie schools and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1963. Ralph served in the U. S. Navy from 1963 to 1967 aboard the USS Maury and the USS Jason. Ralph was honorably discharged as an EM3. He started his career in the Waterworks Industry as a salesman, which lasted for 46 years. Throughout his career, he owned and managed several companies. Ralph was a member of the American Water Works Association. Ralph married Judy Eugenia (Burton) Davis in 1966. This marriage ended in 1982. While together they had two daughters and one adopted son. In 1999, he married Kay (Calloway) Stewart and gained a stepdaughter, Ashley Durocher. This marriage ended in 2008. Ralph belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Wichita and was a former member of the Abdullah Shriners of Sedgwick County. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant daughter Shennille Sue Stewart, and a brother Raymond Stewart. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Samantha (Michael) Howard of Paola, KS; one adopted son, Darren Stewart; one brother, Dannie Wilbur Stewart of Block, KS; two sisters, Kathleen Loree Oldham of Osawatomie, KS and Vickey Lee Kasper of Osawatomie, KS; his granddaughters, Taylor Labra of Olathe, KS and Cassidy Labra of Spring Hill, KS; and his grandsons, Brad Howard of Spring Hill, KS and Brent Howard of Overland Park, KS. Memorials are to the American Legion Riders of Paola, KS. To share a memory of Ralph or to leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories tab.